When Walter Balma had his first encounter with the fire department, he knew immediately that he wanted to be a firefighter. Growing up in Prince George's County, MD, he wanted to be a PG firefighter, so he became a PG volunteer. However, when applying for full-time fire department jobs, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue hired him first. Walter enjoyed a 20+ year career in Montgomery County before eventually retiring and joining the Prince George's County Fire Department.
Walter shares about his time in both departments, as well as his time working in the fire code enforcement offices of Rockville City and Prince George's County.
Walter can be reached at Walter.Balma@gmail.com
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